Senators back Marcos sweeping revamp

MANILA, Philippines — Senators have expressed support for President Marcos’ sweeping government reorganization, calling it a necessary move amid concerns over the inefficiency of some department secretaries.

“For me, this is a good move because admittedly, not all secretaries of government agencies are efficient. There are other secretaries or government officials who don’t really do their jobs or their work has had no impact on the people,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian told radio dwIZ.

“What’s important is action and decisiveness – secretaries who know what to do, who choose to act and not just talk. Sometimes these people are good in theory but in practice, they have nothing to offer,” he added.

Echoing Gatchalian’s sentiments, Senators JV Ejercito and Pia Cayetano said the directive is a necessary push for accountability and urgency within the administration.

Ejercito described the move as “a good start,” but cautioned that merely reshuffling the Cabinet is not enough to resolve deeper systemic issues in government.

“The reboot is a good start but changing faces in the cabinet isn’t enough. This should serve as a wake-up call for everyone to be on their toes,” he said.

He added that under-performing officials who have hindered the administration’s momentum should be removed.

“The cleansing must continue. Those who have weighed down the administration and wasted the President’s goodwill must be removed. It is now time to choose leaders who understand the realities on the ground and who will serve with urgency, not excuses,” he added.

Cayetano, for her part, stressed that the realignment should focus on improving the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

“At the heart of this realignment must be a commitment to providing families with quality public services that improve their daily lives and strengthen our communities,” she added.

‘Obstructionists’

In response to the mounting criticisms, particularly from allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang defended the call for Cabinet courtesy resignations and described detractors as “obstructionists.”

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the calls for President Marcos to resign are self-serving, as this would pave the way for Vice President Sara Duterte to assume the presidency.

“They are the obstructionists who are not doing anything but to criticize the things that the President and the government do. They do not see the good things,” the Palace press officer told state-run Radyo Pilipinas.

“These are the people we should not believe in because they do not make sense,” she added.

Earlier, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque claimed the Philippines is “heading to hell” and said that Cabinet resignations would not solve the country’s problems.

Roque, who is reportedly seeking political asylum in the Netherlands due to alleged political persecution, called on Marcos to step down and let Vice President Duterte lead the country.

Another Duterte ally, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, dismissed the Cabinet reshuffle as a “cosmetic change,” insisting that the root of the problem lies with the President himself.

Castro claimed Roque’s legal cases might be dismissed if Duterte assumes the presidency.

“I am not saying that will happen but it may happen so they are promoting her (Sara). That is so self-serving,” Castro said.

As for Rodriguez, Castro echoed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s earlier remarks, likening him to “a dog barking at the fence” in the middle of the night.

“Should we even pay attention to him?” the Palace press officer said.

Citing the need to “realign government with the people’s expectations,” President Marcos called for the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet members, a surprise move following what was seen as a weak showing by administration allies during the midterm elections. — Alexis Romero